Due to Hurricane Ian, Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz has extended the Golden Ticket campaign free adoption event to May 2023.
Gulf Coast Humane Society after Hurricane Ian
Before the storm, which for several days before landfall was expected to impact Tampa or the Panhandle, Gulf Coast Humane Society (GCHS) took in animals from other shelters in Labelle and Glades County anticipated to receive impact from tropical force winds.
By the time Hurricane Ian changed course and impacted Fort Myers, GCHS had 175 dogs and cats at the shelter. Five staff members rode out the storm with the animals, concerned about the high winds.
Fortunately, all animals were fine after the storm passed, but the facility, fences and grounds were damaged. The cat lanai, which was remodeled earlier in the summer, the breezeway and the animal rehab play area were destroyed. The administrative office roof blew off and went through the windshield of the GCHS’s newest van.
The water pressure was impacted when the water line was damaged, and the generator was hit by lightning. Without phones, staff started reaching out via text to partners throughout Florida and as far away as Chicago, San Diego and other parts of the country. By placing animals at other shelters, GCHS was able to bring their animal count down to 20 within two or three days to allow for assessment and repairs to the facility.
Animals Impacted by Hurricane Ian
After Hurricane Ian decimated Southwest Florida leaving many people without homes, many animals were left homeless, too. New animals are coming in to GCHS that became lost after the storm or from families who don’t have a home to keep them.
In five days, GCHS took in 30 animals, with more than 40 scheduled for next week, including owner surrenders and intakes from other shelters such as Lee County Domestic Animal Services. The kennels are filling up each day.
Gulf Coast Humane society is calling the newly surrendered animals and the dogs that rode out the hurricane at the shelter the “Hurricane Ian Survivor Crew”, including more than 20 dogs. Pets like Dorlisa, a calm, sweet 3-½ year old terrier mix, and Roxy, a fun-loving and playful 2-½ year old terrier mix with expressive ears.
Meet these Hurricane Survivors
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz extends Golden Ticket Adoption Event
In recognition of the impact of Hurricane Ian on the community and animals in Southwest Florida, Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz has extended its free adoption event through May 31, 2023.
The firm sponsored 60 free pet adoptions in honor of its 60th anniversary before Hurricane Ian disrupted Southwest Florida, including flooding the firm’s office it has occupied in downtown Fort Myers for 60 years.
The adoptions are made possible with “Golden Tickets” that will be distributed at events hosted by the firm and the humane society to people wishing to give cats and dogs at the shelter “furever” homes.
To find an event where you can get a “golden ticket” for a free or reduced-price adoption, visit https://www.facebook.com/GoldsteinBuckley/events
If you want to support the GCHS financially to support rebuilding the facilities, visit https://gulfcoasthumanesociety.org/donate/